While Bardia National is renown for its jungle treks there's more to do in Bardia than just trekking in the jungle looking for wild tigers. Certainly, there are no restaurants or "entertainment" venues there but there are a few recreational attractions to see and do around the park.

The most popular things to do in Bardia usually involve visiting the various breeding centers followed by the Tharu museum. But don't let the opportunity to do a village walk or bicycle tour pass you by before leaving. It's a part of Nepal few get to see!

With hundreds of wild birds in Bardia it has become somewhat of bird watching paradise. Egrets, Black Ibis, Francolins, Lesser Whistling Duck, Hornbillss, Kingfishers, Warblers and hundreds more can be spotted.

It's important to know you birds before arriving. Only a few guides in Bardia are true experts at spotting birds. Do contact me to get a recommendation - but get my guidebook first - if you are looking for one.

If you just want to wander around Bardia an bird watch this is possible. But do note that although most of the area is a National Park, the areas outside are often still dense with forest and dangerous animals.

To the south of Bardia National Park is the small Elephant Breeding Center. Similar to the one in Chitwan it contains elephants of various ages. Some are used for anti-poaching patrols others are here due to injury and for breeding.

There is a small charge to enter and although it is open all day there are preferred times to visit. Full details in my guidebook.

At Thakurdwara there are several small temples and shrines. While they are quite new the Shiva temple has a history dating back to the origins of Bardia.

There are no charges to visit any of these shrines or the main temple. Interestingly the main Shiva temple is quite colorful and unique in Nepal. Due to it's uniqueness it's been digitally preserved in 3D by the Digital Archaeology Foundation.